Engine starter



Feb. 9, 1932.

F. H. RAGAN 1,843,987l

ENGINE STARTER Filed May 8, 1931 2 Sheets-Shea?l l INVENTOR.

zig 61H!) J ATTOREY@ Feb. 9, 1932. F H RAGAN 1,843,987

ENGINE STARTER Filed May 8, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Fred/Ryan 'Y Panna-a Feb. e, 1932'.

' UNITED STATES man 1r. nacen, or

PATENT orricr.

F CLEVELANB, 01H10, A. CORPORATION OF OHIO ENGINE START@ Applicationfiled may e,

rlhis invention, relating as indicated to an of construction which maythe starting means of any common form of internal combustion engine suchas is emi anism embodying the invention,

ployedas the motive power in land vehicles and aircraft.

It is among the objects of my invention to provide a form ofconstruction which will permit the employment of a high speed, lowtorque driving motor to produce a low speed, high torque cranking resultand a 'form of construction in which the possibility of damage to 'theapparatus by backfiring of the engine being started is entirelyeliminated.

ther objects of my invention will appear as the description proceeds.'

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention,then consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularlypointed out in the claims.

The annexed drawings and the following description set forth in detailcertain mechsuch disclosed means constituting, however, but one ofvarious mechanical terms in which the principle of the invention may beused.

1n said annexed drawings:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of the apparatus comprising my invention:Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view of the apparatus illustrated inFigi, talreny on a plane substantially indicated by the line 2-2; Fig. 3is a transverse sectional view of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1taken on a plane substantially indicated by the line 3 3; Fig. l is anelevational view o''one'type of clutch plate ernployed in the assemblyillustrated inFig. 1; -Fig. 5 is a perspective View of one of the pawlsemployed in the assembly illustratedin 1; Fig. 6 is atransversesectional view oz the apparatus illustrated in Figl, taken on a planesubstantially indicated by the line tf1-6 but showing an alternative-forni or construetion; Fig. 7 is an elevational View oi the riction orinertia ring forming part of the assembly illustrated in Fig. 1, andFig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view drawn to an enlarged scale of themeans tor braking the 193i. 'Serial No. 535,885

pawl actuating member `illustrated. in Figs. l and 7.

Referring now morev specifically to the drawings and more especially toFig. l, the apparatus comprising my invention consists ci a casing 1which has supported therein a motor 2, which may be of any common formot electric motor usually employed for starting purposes, that, is,preferably a high speed, low torque motor. 1 The one end 3 oit' thearmature shaft of the niotor is journaled in suitable bearings l carriedby one end of the casing 1 and the other projecting portion 5 of sucharmature shaft is journaled inbearings 6 carried by an abutment member7, likewise supported in the casing 1.

The casing 1 has non-rotatably supported therein an orbit gear 8 whichis in theorrn of a barrel provided on its inner periphery:

with teeth and this orbit gear forms one element of the speed reducingineens now to he explained.

The speed reducing means by which the high speed, low torque of themotor shaft is converted into a low speed, high torque cranking power,is preferably a triple planptary system which may be described astolhws:

Secured to the shait 5 of the motor 2 by means of a key 9 is a pinion 10which meshes with three planetary gears 1l, which, in turn, mesh withthe orbit gear 8. The planet gears 11 are supported on stub shafts 12carried by a spider 13 which has a huh 14 associated therewith andextending axially therefrom. rlhe huh 1li has gear teeth 15 'formedthereon which mesh with the next set of planet gears 15 which also meshwith the orbit gear 8. The planet gears 16 are rotatably supported onstub shafts 17 which are carried by a spider 18 which has a hub 19associated therewith and extending arially therefrom. The hub 19 hasgear teeth 20 formed thereon which mesh with the planet gears 21 in thelast stage o the gear reducn tion. Ylanet gears 21 are rotatablysupported on shafts 22 which are secured to e plate 23. The spiders 13and 18 and the plate 23 are rotatabl supported on a pilot shaft whichhas a re uced portion 211 in enlarged portion`26 bearing gagement-'withthe spiders 13 and 18, an annu ar enlarged ortion 25 bearingbetween theplate 23 andJ the pinions 21 and an enon the inner periphery of theplate 23; v

The plate 23 is provided with splines 27 on its outer periphery, whichsplines engage the s lined inner periphe'ly of a substantially tu ularmember 28. he plate 23 is secured against axial movement in Ionedirection by means of a snap ring 23a positioned ina groove on the innerperi hery of the member 28. The ytubular mem er 28 is'rotatablysupported on the inner peri hery of the casing 29 and has an annularange 3() which, engaging a shoulder 31, prevents rel'ative axialmovement between the member 28 and the casing 29. The casing 1 and 29are maintained in assembled relation by bolts suchas 32 cooperating withflanges 33. v

Mounted coaxially with the member 28 is an externally splined sleeve 34which, at one end, is telescopically engaged by the member 26. A purality of clutch plates 35 formed in the manner hereinafter more fullyexplained and provided with serrated outer peripheries, are also.mounted coaxially with the member 28 and with such outer peripheriesengaged by the splines on the inner pe-i lriphery of such member 28. Asecond set of plates 36 arranged alternately with the plates 35 'formedin the manner hereinafter more fully explained and providedwithserrations on their'inner peripheries are mounted onthe splined member34. These plates are maintained in intimate contact by an annular nut 37thereadedly enga ed by the inner periphery of the terminal o the member28. This nut 37 forces the plates 35 and 36 into intimate contact and`against a plurality of compression springs 38 which, at their rear ends,bear against the plates 23. Any desired number of springs such as 38 maybe employed at rcircumferentially 's between the plate 23 and the c utchplates, although six of such springs, it is believed, will be foundsufcient. The springs 38 are positioned on the plate 23 by means ofcounterbores 39 which may be formed in such plate intermediately of thepoints where the stub shafts 22 are secured thereto. To the forward end40 of the externally, splined member 34 is secured an annular internallysplined member 41 which carries a lurality of circumferentially spacedstub s afts 42 which project axially therefrom and on which areoscillatably mounted pawls 43. The pawls 43 are preferably in the formmost clearly illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 for the purpose hereinaftermore fully explained. i

The pawls 43 have pins 44 projecting laterally therefrom, which pinsextend into slots 44 formed on the inner periphery of an inertia orfriction ring 45. The ring 45 aced points is maintained against axialmovement in one direction by means of a snap ring 45a engaged in agroove on the inner periphery of the casing 29. Instead of having thepins 44 secured to the pawls 43, I may prefer to secure such pins in thering 45 and then provide slots such as 46 in the face of the pawls v43into which these pins extend.

vof the casing 29. The shaft 50 has a ratchet member 52 Isecured to theterminalthereof,

which ratchet member will cooperate with the pawls 43 during the periodwhen the engine is being cranked.

Assuming that the pawls 43 are out of engagement with the ratchet 52 onthe end of the crankshaft 50 and such crankshaft is to be cranked, themotor 2 will be energized by means of a suitable switch so as to cause arotation of its shaft 5. The shaft 5 will, therefore, rotate the pinion10, which is keyed thereto and this pinion will cause a rotation oftheplanet gears 11. Rotation of the planet gears 11 will cause the same toroll around the orbit gear 8 and carry with them the spider 13 due tothe fact that the stub shafts 12 on which the planet gears 11 aremounted are carried by this spider 13. The spider 13, that is, the sungear 15 carried by the hub thereof, will rotate at a considerablereduction in speed from the rotation of the shaft 5. The sun gear 15,upon rotation, will cause a rotation of the planet gears 16 which willalso be caused to roll around within the orbit gear 8. Planet gears 16will, through the stub shafts 17, cause a iotation of the spider 18 andconsequently, the sun gear 20. The sun gear 20, upon rotation, willcause rotation of the/planet gears 21 which will roll around the innerperiphery of the orbit gear 8. The planet gears 21, in moving intheirorbit, carry with them the stub shafts 22 and consequently, producea rotation of the plate 23 carrying such stub shafts.

The plate 23, being splined to the tubular member 28, will causev arotation of this member. Due to the frictional resistance between theintimately contacting plates 35 and 36, rotation of the barrel ortubular member 28 will cause a like rotation of the splined sleeve 34.The splined sleeve 34, through its externally splined terminal portion40, will cause a rotation of the annular member 41. The annular member41 carryinfr the stub shafts 42 on which the na wle 43 tsl l areoscillatably supported, willcause a circumferential movement of suchpawls.

When circumferential movement of the pawls 43 occurs, the drag ofthe'ring member 45 which is occasioned either by its own inertia or bythe braking effect of the spring 48, will cause such plawls to rotate onthe stub shafts 42 until t e terminal portions of the pawls are broughtinto engagement with the teeth ofthe ratchet 52. Further rotation of theannular meinber41 will, therefore, effect a rotation or cranking of thecrankshaft 50.

By properly, axially adjustin the aminlar nut 3'? relatively to the tubuar member 28, the frictionalI resistance between the plates and 36 maybe accurately adjusted.. Any overloading over the adjustable value ofsuch friction between the slip or clutch plates will, therefore, causerelative movement between the barrel 28 and the splined member 34without doing any damage to the other parts of the apparatus.

Similarly, should the engine backfire when the pawls 43 are inengagement with the ratchet 52, the slip plates 35 andl 36 will moverelatively to'each other and thereby prevent damage either to the tripleplanetary gear reduction unit or the motor associated. therewith. Y

As hereinbefore explained, instead of the connection between the pawls43 and theinertia ring 45 comprising a pin 44 secured to and mounted onthe awls and in engagement with such ring, lpmay provide the ring 'witha pin which directed toward the pawls will lie in a groove 46 providedtherefor in such pawls so that as the pawls be in moving in their orbit,therinertia or bra ing effect of the ring 45 will cause the pawls torotate on their supporting shafts until engagement is effected with theratchet. .les soon as the engine begins to turn over so that therotation of the crankshaft 50 exceeds the rotation of the splined member34, the ratchet teeth will throw the pawls outwardly, overcoming theinertia or friction of the ring 45 but as soon as the pawls are thrownout.- wardly, such rin lwill maintain the same in disengaged relationwith the:` ratchet until the motor 2 is again energized. .l This form ofconstruction, therefore, is effective to, at

all times, maintain the starter and the crankshaft disconnected unlessthe starter mechanism is driven by the starter motor.

Another means for eifectin rotation of the pavvls 43 on their stub sha`s 42 may be constructed, as is most clearly illustrated in Fig. 6. Inthis gure, the pawls have associated therewith springs 53 which,engaging the pawls on opposite sides of their supporting shafts 42 andalso in engagement with the inner periphery of the casing 29 will, whenthe shaft 42 is caused to move in a circle, cause engagement ordisengagement between the upon the direction of rotation of suc shaft.

It will be noted .that this alternative form of construction might wellbe incorporated with the form of construction illustrated in Fig. l sothat the effect of the inertia ring 45 may be supplemented by the actionof the sprin s 53 in and `isengagement the ratchet carried shaft.

ln order that the plates 35` and 36 may be between the pawls and by theend of the crankset to release at a given torque and in order to insurethat such value will not change.

readily after several backfires or slippages between the plates whichusually results in a burning or similar scoring of the contacting facesof the plates, l propose to provide a plurality of radially extendingslots vor grooves 54 extending radially from the inner periphery of theplates '36 and a plurality of grooves 55 extending radially inwardpawlsand the ratchet de nding ringing about an engagement ly from the outerperiphery of the plates 35.

iin order to insure that the ready access to these grooves, I propose toomit the splines on the outer periphery of the member 34 in the areafrom which the grooves 54 emanate, as most 4clearly illustrated in Fig.3, so that the oil may pass oil may .have

axially of the member 34 into the grooves 54 Where the centrifugal forceincidental tothe rotation of the plates 35 and 36 will cause the oil toflow readily and properly lubricate the contacting faces of the adjacentplates. If desired and for certain types of installation it may benecessary, to similarly omit the splines on the inner periphery of thetubular member 428 in the areas of the grooves 55 in the plates 35, sothat the oil may likewise have ready access to the contacting faces ofthe plates so that when such plates are once set to release at a giventorque value, such value will not materially change even after repeatedclutch slippages.

lt is believed that the further advantages of thehereinbefore describedform ofstarter construction will be so apparent to those familiar withthe art that an enumeration thereof, at this point, is unnecessary.

@ther modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employedinstead of the one explained, gards the mechanism herein disclosed,provided the means stated by any of the following claims or theequivalent of such stated means be employed.

l therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

l. ln an engine starting mechanism, the combination of a driving motor,speed reducing means between said driving motor and the shaft to becranked, a torque overload release clutch between said speed reducingmeans and said shaft, a ratchet on said shaft, pavvls associated withsaid starting mechachange being made as re-V nism for' engagement withsaid ratchet and frictionally braked inertia means responsive torotation of said motor for moving said pawls into engagement with saidratchet. l 5 2. In an engine starting mechanism, the combination ofdriving means for the shaft to be cranked, and means for establishingunidirectional driving communication between said driving means and saidshaft,`said ,0' means consisting of a ratchet on said shaft, a pluralityof pawls oscillatably secured to said driving means, and an inertiamember in engagement with each of said pavvls for moving said pawls intoengagement with said 5 ratchet upon cranking rotation of said drivingmeans.

3. In an engine starting mechanism, the combination of driving means forthe shaft to be cranked, and means for establishing 6 0unidirectionaldriving communication between said driving means and saidshaft, said means consisting of a ratchet on said shaft, a plurality ofpawls oscillatably secured to said driving means, a member'in engagement25 with each of said pawls, and means for braking said member againstrotation to move said pawls into engagement with said ratchet. 4. In anengine starting mechanism, the combination of driving means for theshaft to 3u be cranked, a ratchet on said shaft, a plurality of pawlsoscillatably supported on said drivingr means for movement in a planenormal to `the axis of said shaft into and out of engagement with saidratchet, a pawl actu- 35 ating member mounted concentric with said shaftand in engagement with said pawls, and means for braking said actuatingmember against rotation. 5. In an engine starting mechanism, the 4"combination of drivin means for the shaft to be cranked, a plurality ofpawls oscillatably supported on said driving means, a ratchet on saidshaft, an annular member adjacent said pawls, pins oscillatablyinterconnecting 5^ said pawls and said annular member, and

means for braking the rotation of said annular member upon crankingrotation of said driving means to move said pawls into engagement withsaid ratchet. "v Signed by me this 4th day of May, 1931. FRED H. RAGAN.

